a sayonara to sports

Sayonara to the sports season. Above, is a shot from the last 'pep rally' on the year. It was a quick season for me, as I spent the last 4 weekends hitting up tons of games and tourneys around the prefecture,

but good things must come to an end.

this past weekend was the final tournament for ninth grade students (as next year they are --cross your fingers--off to various high schools around Iwate.) why do they finish mid- year? cos they are suppose to focus on studying for THE biggest test of their lives that inevitably determines their outcome in life. if they don't score well on the high school entrance exam, they will end up at a less than desirable high school (which means really lousy teachers that are rumored to be 'unable to teach them enough to pass the BIGGEST test of all' to enter a university).

can you imagine the pressure a 15 year old kid must feel to have already chosen a career and researched the best high school for preparing them for that job?! while these kids slave away studying hours on end (many attending 'juku' or cram schools which can cost about $1000 a month), they forget about the TEENIEST bit of fun in their lives (their club activities) and focus entirely on academics, in the hopes of their dreams panning out.

it's interesting to note, for my teacher pals anyway, that there is absolutely NO tracking or ability groups from preschool through ninth grade. but isn't it ironic that the high school and university systems

are strictly based on tracking!

while the ninth graders are studying, the seventh and eighth graders (most of which are not allowed to participate competitively are finally given an opportunity to PLAY! side note: in the States, even if you play a 'team sport' like baseball...there is a TON of competition amongst the players because usually the BEST kid plays, regardless of age. the coaching philosophy is much different over here...the first year players must simply learn by watching. one full year of practices (3 hours a day, 6 days a week, for 49 weeks a year) and the only incentive or motivating force is ONE game in which they are all given a couple innings/periods/quarters

to show the coach their skills.

the more i read about Japanese social and academic philosophies, the more i can't understand it. living here can be so frustratingconfusingbutinteresting! im trying to stay really positive cos 2 months from now (exactly 2 months to the day!) it will be my last day in this country. and those first few weeks spent reculturating to American philosphies will bring about another round of culture shock. what a whirl.

The softball, volleyball and baseball teams. All of which lost in the final rounds of competitions today. Good work kids! I'm proud of you! Good luck hittin the books!